Chapter Twenty-Two

“I’m not ready for this,” Snapper said as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. Gone was his usual mechanics uniform replaced with a tight-knit shirt of dark green and khaki-colored pants and grav boots. His hair was slicked back. Gina had even trimmed his facial hair down to nothing but the goatee.

Gina wrapped her arms around his shoulders, the pale color of her forearms a sharp contrast against his skin. Her purple gaze locked on his in the mirror. “No one is ever ready to assume the mantle of leadership, but you deserve this. The people chose you. They had other options.”

Yes, they did. In the weeks since the championship race, where Gemino had won and the murder of the treacherous sponsor, Moag Cheatham, had taken place, the gangs of Wespero had been thrown into disarray, from nominations of new commission representatives to the fact that Macintosh and Full Throttle gangs were faced with appointing new leaders as Bridget and Drag had disappeared following the race.

Snapper smiled. “I never thought I’d be back here.”

“Does it feel good to be home?” Gina stepped back and Snapper turned to face her.

The emotions within him had his hands a bit shaky. It had been more than twelve years since they had fled in the middle of the night. Macintosh had welcomed him back with open arms, voting to appoint him leader.

All he had to do was step outside that door and claim his spot.

“Do you think Gaia is nervous today?”

Gina nodded her head. “I would think so. You both have big shoes to feel, I believe the phrase says.”

“It’s fill, not feel. I’m thankful you’re by my side. We can do this.”

She extended her hand, and he took it, feeling the strength from her radiating into him. This was his future—no more hiding in a mechanics garage. He would have never thought to step up if not for Drag and for Bridget’s letter. When his sister returned, he would have a lot to say to her, but for now… Time to take charge of my future.

They both walked out of the leader’s house to roars of joy from the gathered gang. Full Throttle wouldn’t be present today, but a shared alliance celebration would be forthcoming.

“All cheer our new leader, Snapper.”

Macintosh and Full Throttle would never be the same, and for once Snapper was okay with the changes to come.

 

* * * *

 

Under the cover of hoods and sun goggles, Drag stood beside Bridget and watched as Snapper and Gina emerged to cheers. Bridget squeezed his arm, and he glimpsed a tear track on her cheek.

“Everything is how it should be now,” he whispered in her ear as he hugged her close.

She winced. “Not too tight.”

She was still recovering from the fractured ribs Cheatham had given her. While almost healed, she had to take it easy and Drag did his best to care for her. But with all the excitement of the impending appointment days, she’d refused to enjoy their refuge and wanted to attend the ceremonies.

“If only for a minute,” she’d begged and Drag could never deny her anything.

“Have you seen enough?” he asked as they continued to watch the procession of Snapper and Gina shaking hands, the drinks being passed and the start of a party that would last well into the night and beyond.

“Yes, let’s return to Frog Lick, for Gaia.”

They slipped away, back to their hauler, filled with their supplies—all courtesy of Rune and Jack who’d helped them pack in the hours when they’d left the racing track and returned to Frog Lick following Cheatham’s death.

Since then, they’d traveled, together, sleeping where they wanted to, camping and exploring the wilds between the gangs across all three territories, but never too far from home. They planned to venture to Aurora next, and Aurestral where Hemi and Sophia wanted them to visit.

But they couldn’t depart just yet. The hours’ long drive to Frog Lick showed the slow setting of the sun, and when they arrived, the appointment ceremony was already over and had given way to the party. Music and singing voices roared from the Watering Hole, though the crowd had also spilled into the street. That was where he found his brother and Petal.

“Ahoy, Drag and Bridget. You’re a little late. The appointment was announced midday, but we’re glad you came.”

Drag hopped out of the hauler and embraced Rune in a tight hug. This was what he missed most. Though being with Bridget brought pleasure each day, he still pined for those he cared about. Change meant saying goodbye to things he’d once believed would always exist. “How are you, brother?”

“Better than ever. What’s to come, the alliance with Macintosh, the future is bright. And Petal’s pregnant.”

Bridget let out a gasp. “My gods, really?”

She and Petal shared a gentle embrace. New life, new possibilities. This was the future Drag had been fighting for, and now stepping aside brought even more joy.

“Yes, we are ready,” Rune replied. “This has been a long time coming and I think we’re safe enough to bring a child to this world.”

Drag clapped Rune on the back. “Congratulations, brother. To a successful birth and another brilliant mind to further Full Throttle’s success.”

Gaia stepped out then, with Jack and Shannon flanking her. She waved and Drag dared a wave back. Like the letter Bridget had written for Snapper, he’d left a message for Gaia. The time had come for new leadership, and it wasn’t a cyborg who should be in charge.

The pale blonde woman with her swinging braids marched toward him. “You’re late.”

“As I see it, right on time. Better I show up after you were appointed so no one would think I wanted the spot back. You’re not going to hit me, are you?”

Gaia shook her head, her fists at her side relaxing. “No, as much as I want to… I needed this, the push. I’m ready and I thank you for believing in me. I assume Petal and Rune shared the good news.”

“I’m going to be an uncle,” Drag replied even as his eyes gathered tears. Bridget was by his side as if he’d psychically called for her, supporting him even with her own aches and pains.

“Love, seen enough?”

This part hurt…leaving everything they had built. She understood how he felt, the tearing at his gut as he stared at the buildings that had supported him through his darkest times and the people who’d been there when Bridget couldn’t be.

“Yeah, it’s time.”

“You’ll come back for the birth, right?” Rune asked.

Drag nodded as he swiped at his eyes. Silly tears sprouting at the wrong times. “Send the message. Jack and Gina will know how to reach us.”

“I sure will,” Jack called out from the Watering Hole porch. “Take care of him.”

This was directed at Bridget, who nodded and replied, “Always.”

They made it back to the hauler with a few more farewells, then they zipped off into the night. Bridget rested in the passenger seat as Drag drove. The stars twinkled above them, and the air had already gotten cooler.

“We travel until the moon rises high—that all right?” he asked.

“Yes. As long as I’m with you, I’m up for anything.”

He’d depend on those words for the rest of his life—together forever, with whatever tomorrow brought their way.